Cook County Department of Public Health Gives Flooding Tips

LEMONT, IL — Submitted by Cook County Department of Public Health.

The Cook County Department of Public Health has offered the following advice and tips for Cook County residents. You can follow these tips to stay safe and healthy when flooding occurs.

Cook County Department of Public Health officials are cautioning residents in areas where there is flooding to take basic hygiene, food and water safety measures to stay healthy and prevent injuries.

“Flood waters and standing waters pose various risks,” CCDPH Chief Operating Officer Dr. Terry Mason, MD, said in a release. “For example, eating or drinking anything contaminated by flood water can cause diarrheal disease; and open wounds and rashes exposed to flood waters can become infected.”

Follow these tips to stay safe after a flood:
Basic Hygiene Measures

• Avoid skin contact with floodwater, especially cuts and sores. Keep cuts/sores clean and covered.
• Do not allow children to play in floodwater.
• Do not eat or drink anything exposed to floodwater.
• Keep contaminated objects, water and hands away from mucous membranes (mouth, eyes and nose).
• Wash hands frequently; especially after bathroom use, before eating and immediately following contact with floodwater or contaminated objects or surfaces.

Food Safety Measures

• Do not eat any food that has come in contact with floodwater, including food in refrigerators or freezers, fruits and vegetables, thawed food. If the safety of any food or beverage is questionable, follow this simple rule: “When in doubt, throw it out.”
• In case of a power outage: A fully stocked freezer will keep food frozen two days if the door remains closed
• A half-full freezer can keep foods frozen about one day
• Food in the refrigerator can normally stay cold for four to six hours

Water Safety Measures

• Public and private water supplies may be contaminated in a flood so listen for public announcements on the safety of your area’s water supply.
• If your water is contaminated, use only bottled or disinfected water for drinking, cooking, tooth brushing and bathing until you are sure the water supply is safe.
• If you have to use tap water, boil it vigorously for at least five minutes.
• Private water wells should be pumped out, allowed to recharge naturally, disinfected and the water tested before drinking or being used for cooking.

For more flood safety tips, visit: http://cookcountypublichealth.org/healthy-hotspot/prepared-cook-county/flood or the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/index.html.

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